GNV News – November 22, 2024

On November 19, about 42,000 people held a demonstration in New Zealand’s capital, Wellington, opposing a treaty principles bill that would redefine Māori rights. It was carried out as part of the peaceful protest “hikoi,” becoming the largest demonstration in the country’s history. In Parliament, after the bill was introduced, Māori Party lawmaker Hana-Rawhiti Maipi-Clarke tore a copy of the bill in half and, together with colleagues, performed the traditional Māori dance haka, and Parliament was temporarily adjourned. Currently, Māori account for about 17% of the total population of 5.3 million.

The Treaty of Waitangi, whose redefinition is under discussion, was signed in 1840 between the British Crown and Māori chiefs with the aim of guaranteeing Māori rights and self-governance in exchange for ceding sovereignty to Britain. It is regarded as a founding document, but there are significant differences between the English and Māori versions, and interpretation has long been a subject of controversy. Under rulings by the courts and the Māori Court, the rights and privileges of Māori in a disadvantaged position have been expanded over decades.

On the other hand, some see these privileges as fostering discrimination against non-Indigenous people. David Seymour, leader of the liberal ACT Party, which is in coalition with the ruling party, has said the treaty’s core values have led to societal division and proposed redefining the treaty to roll back those privileges. The bill faces strong opposition from other parties and many Indigenous and non-Indigenous people, and its chances of passing are extremely low. However, the bill’s introduction has raised concerns about social division.

Learn more about the Māori → “The history and present of the Māori in New Zealand”

Protest rally held in front of the Parliament Buildings (Photo: Tom Ackroyd / Wikimedia Commons [CC0 1.0])